Get Ready for Summer with The Outdoor Edit Newsletter
Are You Ready for Summer?
...I know I'm about halfway there. Lots of changes and shifts that are happening in a way that's simultaneously feeling too fast and too slow. I'm an anxious and impatient person, it seems.
But anyway, welcome to the first Outdoor Edit Newsletter! I'm really stoked that you're subscribed and reading this because it means you share my deep-seated addiction to all things fitness, wellness and travel-related.
One thing I've been thinking and writing a lot about recently has been a step back from specifically fitness-related: the idea of being completely overwhelmed, to the point where it's easy to go full circle and tip into being underwhelmed (that feeling when you just look at a to do list, look away, and contemplate pouring a glass of wine, grabbing a chocolate bar and binging on Netflix or trashy novels at 2PM... even if you're at the office!).
You can read all about it here, and I'll be talking soon about some of the steps I've been taking to stay out of that funk. I've been largely successful thanks to a dialed-in morning routine, some longer training runs, and—this is new for me—a yoga practice that I tried out that focused more on breathing and meditation than sweat. But really, the biggest thing has been taking a 100-yard look at my life whenever that overwhelmed feeling hits and asking myself, "Is it really that crazy?" The answer is often no—sure, there's a lot going on, but if I assess it, it's 85% work that I've pitched, asked for, or desperately wanted to get done. (The other 15% is the life stuff like accounting, back-end web stuff and whatnot.)
But what does that have to do with summer? Maybe it's because I'm a summer baby and about to turn (eep) 30, but summer has always been a second chance at hitting those New Year's Resolutions that I have for myself, from work to business to life. That, combined with the literal peeling off of layers of clothing as weather gets warmer, feels like summer rings in a sloughing off period where we can exfoliate away a bunch of physical and metaphorical crap and get down to business.
(Also, I work better when my toes aren't cold.)
Let's talk about summer goals: what are yours for training, for life, for work? Reply to this and let me know!
Thanks for being here. Now, let's talk about some other rad stuff happening!
Survive Summer & Stay Fit
Summer travel & training.
Yikes.
Even with Ironman coming up, I know when travel and life get hectic, it's really easy to want to just take those spaces carved out for fitness and just freaking chill. And on one hand, you do you. Take that break. But on the other, if you have goals—internal or external—then you don't always want to indulge that person I refer to as Zombie Self.
Besides, the weather is getting good, who wants to turn into a Netflix-watching naps-all-day vampire? (Or a all of stress from too much running around and work and not enough outside time?)
So, whether it's work, family, travel or even vacation that's throwing off your daily rhythm, I have a few tips.
Finding a running or cycling route in a new place can be a huge struggle for those of us on the road a bunch. But that is absolutely not an excuse! I've got a few easy ways to find the best spots to run, wherever you are.
Get up 10 minutes earlier and do a quick core/yoga flow. I love mine, and it's the 10 minutes that makes my day infinitely more tolerable. I start with 5 minutes of planks, then a couple core exercises, then a quick flow through this Tara Stiles (of Strala Yoga) set designed for 'productivity.' (I have no idea why that is, but it's quick, easy and feels great!)
Walk. Please. Seriously, if everyone just did a little more walking, life would be so much more pleasant. Peter sometimes has to shove me out the door, especially as it gets later in the day, but it's seriously the best way to get out of a slump, or to unglue from your computer screen. We have our best 'business'/scheming meetings while we're walking around—and it's even better if you can add an errand so you're multitasking! (Check our podcast with Katy Bowman for more tips.)
Turn play into a workout. Taking kids to the playground, or the dog on a walk (even if you have to borrow kids or a dog to make this work) can be super active, or super passive. A couple handweights can add a bit more resistance, chasing the kids on the playground and maybe doing a pullup or two on the monkey bars can be a bit of strength training, and fartlek sprints with the pup will speed you up.
Take a damn day off every so often. It's OK. No one is judging you—and a day off is usually enough to re-motivate you for the next day! (Feeling guilty? Don't. But if you can't shake that feeling yet can't get off the couch, download a free meditation app and do a session to chill your brain out.)
Meet the Shred Girls!
You may have seen that I recently launched my latest project, The Shred Girls, a middle-grade series for young girls. Think Babysitter's Club but with bikes (so if you're like me and still secretly read BSC novels on occasion, you might love this for yourself). Anyway, I wrote it to try to encourage and inspire younger girls to get on — and stay on — bikes as they hit those critical pre-teen years. I'd love if you checked out the Shred Girls website, and there's a coupon code below for you!
(You know you need another tshirt.)
I fell instantly in love with the Shred Girls logo that Team Sky and Bicycling mag artist Rich Mitchelson came up with for me, so much so that as soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted it on tshirts and hats and pretty much everywhere. If you order one before May 31, you get a bunch of stickers too!
Prefer Podcasts?
I got heavy into podcast listening around this time two years ago as I was trying to add more hours to my training and there was just only so much energy I had for music while running. So, I started listening to a bunch of them and it was a gamechanger. Then, Peter and I decided to start our own, The Consummate Athlete, interviewing inspirational athletes that are crushing it in a ton of disciplines, plus experts with advice that will help you get to that next level. I'd love it if you gave it a listen!
Before You Go...
Send a friend this link to subscribe to The Outdoor Edit Newsletter for a) travel, adventure and wellness tips and tricks and b) a free ebook with my best travel advice from the last 10 years on the road
Check out Shred-Girls.com and think about ordering a book for a young girl in your life who could use some cycling inspiration (or for yourself, if you love YA!)
Head to the The Consummate Athlete Podcast on iTunes, subscribe and/or leave us a rating or review!
Let me know by responding to this (or on Twitter or Facebook or wherever) what you want to see more of, what you want to see less of, any questions, whether you love or hate this kind of update, et cetera. I want to make this site as useful as humanly possible—while still being me, not just an advice-giving robot, of course!
See you next time!